A real nice collection of fine hunting pistols. I was glad to see the Ruger Redhawk and the Kimber in here. I've been real happy with them.

While I would like to own one of each, the old Hi standard Model HD military handed down to me will still shoot to impress. I guess it's just not popular enough to appear here.

Sure is a good collection of fine hunting pistols. Worst on the market today is the Springfield 45XD models to its line of inaccurate firearms! Glad to see this not being in this lineup!

Great article, thanks! The Super Blackhawk and Contender are my favorites.

I had an old friend of mine that shot the S&W K-22.
What a pistol.
Did you forget it, or, didn't thing it belonged.

I'm pleased to see the .41 Magnum included as a fine hunting cartridge, since it served me well in three handgauns (A S&W Model 57, a Ruger single-action, and a T-C "Contender" with 14-inch barrel that devoured metal plates).
As I browse the gunshops these days, I seem to be afflicted with "sticker shock" when I examine the currently manufactured models of revolvers and autoloaders I appreciated in the past. I agree with Mr. Freeman; I genuinely appreciated the S&W K-22 and K-38, but made the mistake of selling both, only to repurchase a K-38 several years later (see profile). I might have added the High Standard autoloaders or the S&W Model 41 or 46 to this list, but (with the exception of the .45-70 hand cannon) I'd be delighted to own any of those pictured!

I'm w/ Edward J Palumbo, any "best-of" list for hunting handguns has to include the .41 Mag. Great power, very little recoil w/ a long barrel. Very accurate.

Finally some good press for the .41, thanks to jbird and edward for posting as well. The .44 is nothing but a marketing ploy when you look at it, really a .42 and does not have the ballistics that the .41 has.

I expected to see the 500 smith and wesson performance center or the 460. i Love my 500S&W performance center and in the 100 yard range i trust it to drop any thing i could encounter, not to mention with the muzzlebreak its fun to shoot. Maybe next time it will make it on the list.

If your carrying a T/C, and a shooting stick you might as well be hunting with a rifle, you might hit something. My buckmark camper is loaded with ratshot which is almost as effective as a digging hoe on snakes.

Can't wait till my next handgun. Great list. Love the .22s.

The Colt woodsman is a true classic . the workmanship is top notch and not equaled in any gun made today except for the Smith and wesson model 41 if you can afford one. The woodsman fits your hand like a Luger and points so natural its like an extension of your own body part ! A true pleasure to shoot and collect.

PPK in 380*

To Sundoggery, from 2 days, 16 hours ago:

You wrote (about my taking a mountain lion with one shot from my .357 Highway Patrolman):

"One shot to kill an animal just over 150 lbs., if that. - hmmm and at the height of, say at the maybe 50 feet..?- with a .357..?? - treed and panicked,I assume by hunting dogs and/or men for it's distraction - and all this with revolver built for distant shooting..! Wow! With a single shot, even?... Golly! How sporting!"

One detects what I believe is referred to as "sarcasm" here. So let's see, yes, a 150 lbs. carnivore capable of killing a bull elk; treed about thirty feet straight overhead; panicked? from the look in his eyes, I would have said not; quickly fading winter light; Partridge iron sights; bayiny dogs; bad footing on a snowy slope; nowhere to go after pulling the trigger and the lion falling straight down; one-shot kill--sporting? Golly, I certainly thought so. And guess what? Lion is very good eating, in case you ever try hunting one.

Yours,
Tom McIntyre

I think you missed the best ones out there. The Smith & Wesson 460 is great to 250 yards and the S&W 500 is the most enjoyable bear defense gun to shoot.

Gee the T/C contender made it in twice!

I was a little disapointed that the S&W X-Frames didn't make the list. The .460 is an awesome handgun hunting round but must be too new for the editor to include.

It looks to be a s&w new gun book?

Is the .22LR really that useful that it counts for 18/25 of the Best Hunting Handguns?

Two favorite guns for almost 40 years.
#1- My 4" Built Mod. 66-target trigger,hammer, and sight insert. Was my duty firearm and has been my CCW for the past 35 yrs. Used to train others, and with well over 500K rounds through it, it still keeps 1 inch groups at 50 yards. Two bears, 17 hogs, and 11 deer, it is still the handgun I count on every day/
#2- Thompson Contender-Own 12 of these complete handguns and love each and everyone of them the same. Favorite is my .308 cal. Bullberry w/Burris 2.5X7 scope, and next is my T/C 14" with T/C 2X scope. The .308 will shoot 1/2 inch groups at 100 yds. and thee .223 will keep under 1.5 inches at 200.
Have shot and currently own well over 200 hand guns, yet these two models are my favorites. Colts, Rugers, and many of the early 50-60-70's Smith & Wesson are in collection, but still the most fun to shoot are my 66 and T/C's.

A .357 is a great pistol for deer.

I've taken deer and other critters with 22's, 357/38's, and the 44 mag. I just want to mention 2 of my favorite cartridges that are missing from your gallery. The 22 mag, which is good for larger small game and does not tear it up when properly placed, and the 45 Colt, which will take anything up to elk without the wrist wrecking recoil of the large magnums.
Take your pick of Ruger or S&W and learn to use them well, you'll not be disappointed!

these are some fine looking pistols some very interesting .

absolute best of the best.... but you left one out... the H&R 949 being chambered in 22lr is also worth the little bit of money paid for it. i own one and have shot everything from rabbits to gopers.. a few snakes and also some unruly feral cats. This handgun has unutterable accuracy in the right hands and can be counted on in the worst climates ( i have been shooting in a blizard and in the middle of one of the worst rainy seasons in ga history). again... great collection but the 949 should really be up there... and as far as the colt woodsman goes... i am still trying to get the money to buy one..

Come on no Magnum Research BFR 500S&W???? This will take any game in the world, with 265gr to 700gr bullets. Better and stronger than the Smith, and will take any length bullet made for 500S&W with its long cylinder!!!

"#2- Thompson Contender-Own 12 of these complete handguns and love each and everyone of them the same. Favorite is my .308 cal. Bullberry The .308 will shoot 1/2 inch groups at 100 yds."
I have never been able to find a TC Contender bbl in .308 Winchester because I am told that the receiver can not withstand the pressure. Can you tell me who you contacted at bullberry to have this bbl made for your contender sir? I would like to have one made for one of my frames if they actually do produce this bbl for the contender.
I know they make it for the Encore, but again I have never seen one for the Contender.
Thanks,
manshooter

Really? All of those .22lr guns, and not a single Colt revolver made the list?

I'm suprised that the S&W 686 and/or the Ruger GP 100 aren't included in the list. Both, in my experience, are very good and reliable handguns and the .357 magnum is my favorite handgun round.

Missed my two favorites: The model #29 Smith and Wesson and the .357 Magnum Colt Python, never a finer revolver maid than the Python. How anout the new Smith and Wesson .460 Magnum? Just a few goodies in my estimation.